Happy 8th anniversary to the ONLY girl group I love! That's an accurate statement. Even though I have/had many girl group "flings" (I follow more girl groups than boy groups, to be honest!), KARA is the only girl group in which I can't see any superficiality.° Not to say other groups are fake; who am I to judge? But when it's KARA it's definitely a family.

(photo credits: Jelah Ruz @ KARA Philippines)

At first I tried to make a birthday message. If you ever guessed, I've never made any bday tribute to these girls. I thought of a pimp post but that's something to leave to hardcore Kamilias--I admit I am far (still far) to be one. I also composed a dramatic essay but it doesn't fit with my celebratory mood. (Yes. Celebratory in all its glory!!) You know, one thing that makes me fall in love with KARA over and over again is their songs that seem to not run out of energy.° The signature KARA sound that, despite my hate in the beginning (refer to this post), brought the highest levels of hyperness in me and gave me regular urgencies to dance.° I got my hand movements wrong in Lupin and had the time of my life doing the wrong steps to Step, but at least I've done these... and more! Super thanks to you, gals :">

It is not unknown to everyone that I'm a fan of KARA's Japanese discography. In fact, I listen to it more than I listen to their Korean songs. I'm so thankful for the huge JPop influence in the group, for if they aren't JPop-like sound-wise I might never appreciated them this far.° If they didn't venture into Japanese market I might've not known them anyway. I may be greedy and senseless for thinking this but KARA is a JPop group to me. But no hate, please. ^^ I'm aware that their origins are Korean and never will they be in line with JPop groups. Yet this is another reason to love them: The KPop label and the JPop heart.° It's like seeing two groups, listening to two cultures, and understanding two languages in one. Isn't that awesome?

KARA is called the 'Miracle group'° for a variety of reasons I will not discuss here (I recommend watching these documentaries to satisfy your curiosity xD). The members have been through a lot, and it made them stronger, braver, wiser. It might not be too obvious but they are some of the richest in the KPop idoldom, too! However, it's definitely not cliche to say that their humility is outstanding and one-of-a-kind°. A big part of this is attributed to them being the 'miracle group'.

Like my ultimate bias group, NEWS, KARA has an interesting member line-up changes from the year they were formed to the present.° Originally four, a member left and was replaced by two, making them five for a long time. Then two members left and were replaced by one, making them four again. There's no need to hide your laughing because it's actually hilarious. More importantly, come to think of it, they survived through it all!°

° = the reasons why I love KARA [the supposed-to-be title of this post~]

KARA Playlist

Since I don't have much to babble about, I'd end this post with a list of song recommendations (mostly Japanese tracks, and you know why!)

Probably you've heard of the song MR. more than you've heard about the group who sang it. (It was such a trend!) But there's more to KARA than their butt dance; here are the songs that caught my attention, became my jam, and many of these belong to my ultra-favorites until now. There are also some ballads just in case you're wondering if they ever sing slow songs.

KARA's vocals were once dubbed as the worst in KPop. I won't disagree. However, I'm still proud of the group's unique vocal substance that gives their songs their own catchy brand.

Here is my recommendation list, not in order (although it tends to). Hope you find the time listening to some!

5-member KARA (2008-2013)

・STEP (super favorite and always in the top of my playlists! It's Korean but there's a Japanese version as well; albeit I recommend the K-version only.)

・Girls Power (the song that brought me to liking KARA)

[video: Girls Power]

・Speed Up

・ゴ！ゴ！ サマー

・Ima Okuritai Arigatou (the song for the fans. There are K and J versions; albeit I recommend the J-version only)

・Winter Magic

・Promise

・ Jumping (I recommend both K and J versions)

・HANABI

・Love Is (I recommend J-ver. )

・Rock On

・Love Is Fire

・Pretty Girl (I recommend both K and J versions)

・Jet Coaster Love

・Burn

Original 4-member KARA (2007)

・Break It

・If You Wanna

・Words I Couldn't Keep

New 4-member KARA (2014 - )

・MAMMA MIA (I recommend K-ver.)

・So Good

Whew, I missed making KARA posts! I'm glad I finally got to it again! Along with this is a promise that I'd be a better fan. The type which, can write andwill write a pimp post or even just an appreciation post. Because you are worth the appreciation. <3

Again, happy 8th anniversary. You are a miracle, and meeting you is magic.

Thankfully, KARA is only my second fandom. I don't mean to love them less, I just don't love them more than my first one.

And that is why, thankfully,it doesn't hurt so much. Unfortunately, it worries me more. I think my love for them is challenged.

I don't have a bias in KARA. Advantage: I love the five equally. Disadvantage: I can't take it when my OT5 breaks. Which is happening.

So why with this post?Today is January 16. Today, Nicole's officially out of the group.

I've prepared for this day. But still it pained. And what's more, Jiyoung finally came up with her decision... Guess what it is?

It is... To leave too.

I'm not blaming anyone. Or maybe I am? I blame destiny for me meeting KARA too late.If I have loved them ever since, I know the cut will be deep. But maybe it is better than meeting them late and loving them late; because now it's too late. I've met and loved them them during their darkest era. Was there a happy memory? Of course there was. But the happiest memories were then, when I still wasn't into them. In short I have missed 5 or 6 years of my life.

I love KARA. But now I don't know where to hold on to. I am a Kamilia, but now I'm not even sure of that.

I don’t know what to say in this post. KARA is actually the only KPop group that I follow, even though I can’t say I’m a hardcore Kamilia I’ve always loved this group and its fanbase and I always brag about how strong these girls are.

In the midst of these issues, I kept my mouth shut, for I thought I wasn’t in the position to react at these things (as I followed KARA quite silently.) But today, as the confirmation of Nicole leaving the group soon and Jiyoung’s to-be-confirmed decision of leaving, I want to speak out and say,

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO HAPPEN? Why did it come to this? I know Nicole’s dispute with DSP before. I know Jiyoung is not even in her twenties and has other things yet to pursue, but… I learned to live with KARA5, sing with KARA5, dance with KARA5, and believe in KARA5. Things were inevitable back then but KARA5 showed me (and all of Kamilias) that miracles were real. I remembered reading a post “why KARA is called the Miracle Group”, and from that day on I’ve etched in my heart that KARA5 is here forever. Well, i’m exaggerating on the “forever” part, but you get the point. KARA—Gyuri, Seungyeon, Hara, Nicole, Jiyoung—is the KARA that popularized Rock U, Wanna, MR., Jumping, Lupin, STEP, Pandora, Damaged Lady and more—and is also the KARA that gets a big f*ckin success in Japan (I approve of this because I’m a JPop fangirl), the KARA that stays humble and lovable despite the fame that they get, the pretty pretty girls who could go from sweet to sexy to nice and naughty, the epitome of goodness and strength combined… I could go on forever ranting about how KARA is one hella group of perfection and how KARA is one of those few KPop groups who has a very tight connection with their fans.

But now. Nicole’s leaving. And Jiyoung’s on the verge of it. Suprisingly, I DO NOT HATE. Even DSP I couldn’t curse. Because I am thankful to DSP that they gave this group to us, though I’m also lamenting why this management is a crap. If only DSP did better.

DSP issue aside, we really don’t know the real reason/s for what’s happening. Who knows, DSP was merely not the cause. Maybe Nicole wanted to quit for real? And Jiyoung sees life outside could be better. I don’t know… But as I said, I don’t hate. Whatever happens Nicole and Jiyoung are precious parts of KARA.

I still see KARA as the miracle group, that wouldn’t change. Right now I’m just hoping for the best, wishing for the best, praying for the best. Though for me, the best would have been Nicole and Jiyoung to stay. KARA5 is KARA, can we just stay like this?

As for the question “will KARA disband?” They’ll not. DSP says KARA would still continue its activities, rest assured. And the speculations about going in hiatus or adding members (they’ve been through these before), Oh I don’t know what to feel. I just know it’s purely heartbreaking.

I’ll end this post now. I’m on the verge of crying. T^T

P.S. Kamilia, let’s be strong for KARA. As we watched the fandom bloom, cheered on happy memories and held hands through tight instances, let’s be the same now. Even better. Let’s be Kamilia for KARA’s sake.

IT'S MY FIRST TIME WATCHING A KARA CON (I watched the first part yesterday and the rest today),Thank god the full con is up on Youtube, so I don't have to dl it anymore (I'm not allowed to download large files orz >.<)And I'm so happy because the net is surprisingly fast today, the loooooong video didn't even buffer!Kill the 43 people who disliked! >o<

I have so many feels, as always, and I don't wanna put it here 'cause it will take my time again.Waiiiiit I'm crying again ;o;Again.

and again.

*sobs*

I still don't know the reason why I love KARA, unlike NEWS in which I can give a million reasons *and more*, but...Why did KARA became extra special to me? It took time, dears.I never thought it'll come to the point where KARA becomes one of my main fandom.I look at myself and it's still unbelievable.KASI AYAW KO SA KARA DATI.

EH BAKIT NGAYON...No matter how haters keep on pointing KARA's weaknesses (many of which I believe are true)...

...KARA JJANG! ♥

...KAMILIA HWAITING! ♥

Sorry for the super scattered post. My thoughts are very scattered today, which reminds me, my Tegoshi x OC fic haven't been polished (the original plan is to finish it today; I watched KARA instead and now I'm into a bewildered state of what to do next O.o)

Other than OTP, I flailed over 3 groups today: KARA, SNSD and Miss A. It's actually my first time exploring Miss A; while I love SNSD for more than a year now (my biases are Yoona, Hyoyeon and Sooyoung!) Oh I suddenly remembered ngantvk and our little bonding over SNSD ^_^.

As for KARA... It's my second main fandom (next to NEWS), I regret not loving them the first time I met them; why only now? Hmm~ but dates don't really matter right? Whether I love KARA from the start or I love KARA just today, what's important isI'm a pearl peach Kamilia, turning up the tempo, stepping it up. 8D